Objective To investigate the effect of alteration of CRELD1 gene expression on the related genes in the endocardial cushion development.Methods Over-expression and silence of CRELD1 gene were realized by the construction of lentiviral vector.Afterwards,the lentiviral vectors were used to infect the human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL)-I.All of the cells were divided into the following 5 groups:the blank control group,the negative control group of interference,the interference group,the negative control group of over-expression,and the over-expression group.Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction were applied to examine the mRNA and protein expression of CRELD1,Sox9,Aggrecan,Scleraxis and Tenascin-C.Results The DNA sequences of 2 recombinant plasmids pLV3-shRNA-CRELD1 and pLV4-CRELD1 matched very well with those which were designed according to the DNA sequence analysis.HFL-I was successfully infected with lentiviral vectors and displayed fluorescent green light under inverted fluorescence microscope.The results of real-time PCR detection and Western blot test were consistent:expressions of Sox9 and Aggrecan in the interference group were significantly higher than those in the negative control group of interference,while the expressions of the 2 genes in the over-expression group were significantly lower than those in the negative control group of over-expression.Expressions of Scleraxis increased in both the interference group and the over-expression group when compared with the negative control groups respectively.Compared to the corresponding negative control groups,Tenascin-C expression decreased markedly in the interference group,whereas it increased significantly in over-expression group.Conclusions CRELD1 gene has negative effect on the expression of the related genes Sox9 and Aggrecan in the endocardial cushion development,whereas it has positive effect on the Tenascin-C expression.It serves as a theoretical framework to illustrate the effect of CRELD1 gene on the atrioventricular septal defect.

Objective To investigate the use of assistive devices for children with physical disability. Methods Caregivers of children　with physical disability accepted wheelchairs, walkers, standing frames, orthoses freely from 2009 to 2011 were cluster sampled from various　regions, and investigated with the quality, use, service and others. Results and Conclusion Disabled children and their caregivers expressed　satisfaction with these assistive devices. However, the satisfaction of orthosis was the poorest among the assistive devices.

Streptomyces sp.X-435 isolated from a soil sample collected in the suburbs of Beijing was proved to be a produce Virginiamycin.To improve the productivity of the Virginiamycin of Streptomyces sp.X-435,the spores of strain X-435 were treated with UV.The three types of colony,strawhat,wrinkled,blad,were isolated on Gaose's medium plates after mutation.Among them,the colonies of strawhat type exhibited positive mutation and were picked up as objects of screening.After five generation of mutation,the mutant F5-25-u-28 was selected which potency of Virginiamycin was about 20times higher than that of the beginning strain by flask fermentation and was also genetic stable.

Objective To confirm the clinical diagnosis of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) by molecular genetic testing in a large family. Methods PCR was performed to amplify the coding region of androgen gene, followed by direct sequencing in the patients with CAIS and relatives in this family. Results A missense mutation Arg773His was identified in the patients (homozygous) and carriers(heterozygous). Conclusions Mutation Arg773His in the AR gene leads to CAIS in this family. Molecular genetic testing of CAIS facilitates not only prenatal genetic diagnosis but also preimplantation genetic diagnosis and offers genetic counseling for future pregnancies to abandon the transmission of the mutated X chromosome to the coming generation.

The non-alkaloid chemical constituents of dried Phellodendron chinense barks were investigated. A total of 14 phenolic compounds (1-14) were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of Phellodendron chinense by the utilization of silica gel, medium pressure liquid chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and preparative liquid chromatography. Among of the isolated compounds, isophellolactone (1) was identified as a new compound. The isolated 14 compounds were further tested the activity on α-glucosidase inhibition. The results for the first time demonstrated that quininic acid ester 3-6 and 8 exhibited good α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Polyhydroxy hexa-membered carbon ring in quinine ester derivatives is possibly the essential group for the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Objective To investigate the expression of micro RNA-146a (miR-146a),TNF receptorassociated factor 6 (TRAF6) gene and IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) gene in the peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and their relationship with the disease activity.The role of miR-146a,TRAF6,IRAK1 in the pathogenesis of AS was explored.Methods Expression of miR-146a,TRAF-6 and IRAK-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was studied using realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in 45 AS patients and 22 healthy controls.The indicators of disease activity adopted in this study were Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP) level,and immunoglobulin (Ig).The relationship was analyzed in AS patients between the relative expression levels miR-146a,TRAF6,IRAK1 and BASDAI,ESR,CRP,Ig concentration.Non-parametric test,t test,One-way ANOVA,Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results ①The relative expression level of miR-146a which was observed in PBMCs of AS patients was significantly higher than that in normal control group [1.46(0.39,4.79)and 0.81(0.17,1.90),P＜0.05].The expression of miR-146a was significantly higher in active AS patients group than that in inactive patients [2.93(0.95,7.95) and 0.54(0.28,1.69),P＜0.05],there was no difference between the treatment group and without treatment group [1.28(0.31,2.37) and 2.22(0.49,7.71),P＞0.05].② There was significant difference in the relative expression level of IRAK-1 between AS patients and the normal control group.IRAK1 was significantly higher in AS patients than that in normal control group (1.4±0.7,1.1±0.4,P＜0.05).However,there was not difference between active AS patients group and inactive patients group as well as treated group and untreated group (1.5±0.9,1.4±0.5; 1.6±0.7,1.3±0.7,P＞0.05).③ TRAF6 expression was obviously lower in AS patients than that in normal control group (1.3±0.6,1.7±0.8,P＜0.05),and that was also significantly lower in the untreated group and active group than that in the normal control group (1.1±0.7,1.7±0.8; 1.1±0.5,1.7±0.8,P＜0.05).④ Signi-ficant positive correlation was observed between the miR-146a level and BASDAI,as well as duration of morning stiffness (r=0.557,P=0.000; r=0.363,P=0.018).The expression level of IRAK1 was significantly negative correlated with IgM (r=-0.313,P=0.046).Conclusion ① miR-146a expression is up-regulated in patients with AS,and it may be a potential useful marker for disease activity in AS patients; ② The abnormal expression of IRAK1,TRAF6 in AS patients may play a role in the pathogenesis of AS.

Our study have confirmed that orphanin FQ (OFQ) alone can reverse the multi-drug resistance of K562/ADM at the cellular level. Thus, this study was purposed to investigate the molecular mechanism of OFQ combined with ADM that reverses multi-drug resistance of K562/ADM, as well as its correlation with the expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). MTT method was used to detect the proliferation ability of K562/ADM treated with OFQ and ADM alone and their combination; flow cytometry was performed to measure the cell apoptosis rate; real time-PCR was applied to detect the MDR1 mRAN expression; Western blot was used to determine the P-gp expression. The results showed that OFQ (0.1 µmol/L) combined with ADM (15 mg/L) significantly inhibited the cell proliferation of K562/ADM, compared with ADM group; the date gained at 48 h was statistically significant (P < 0.05), and cell apoptosis rate was significantly raised (P < 0.01); MDR1 mRNA and P-gp expression levels of OFR combined with ADM were significantly lower than that of ADM alone, and were time-dependent within 48 h. It is concluded that OFQ combined with ADM can reverse the multi-drug resistance of K562/ADM in time-dependent manner, and the 48 h after treatment with these 2 drugs is the best reverse time, which may be related with down regulating the expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Opioid Peptides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo develop a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system, for precisely imaging the accommodation of the anterior segment of the human eye.

METHODSDesign the SD-OCT system based on two Michelson interferometer by using the basic principal of weak coherent light interference and modular design of dual channel dual focus.

RESULTSThe system can provide simultaneous cross-sectional imaging of all the surfaces of the anterior segment of the eye including the cornea, anterior chamber, anterior and posterior surfaces of the crystalline lens. Thus, the dynamic change of modification of the curvatures can be calculated in real time.

CONCLUSIONSThe system was successfully tested in imaging accommodation, with high resolution and non contact. The preliminary results demonstrated the feasibility of this novel approach to measure the eye parameters.

It is unanimously accepted that stroke is a highly heterogeneous disorder.Different subtypes of ischemic stroke may have different risk factors,clinical features,and prognoses.The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors,clinical characteristics,and prognoses of different subtypes of ischemic stroke defined by the Trial of ORG10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria.We prospectively analyzed the data from 530 consecutive patients who were admitted to our hospital with acute ischemic stroke within 7 days of stroke onset during the study period.Standardized data assessment was used and the cause of ischemic stroke was classified according to the TOAST criteria.Patients were followed up till 30 and 90 days after stroke onset.It was found that large-artery atherosclerosis was the most frequent etiology of stroke (37.4％),and showed the highest male preponderance,the highest prevalence of previous transient ischemic attack,and the longest hospital stay among all subtypes.Small artery disease (36.4％) was associated with higher body mass index,higher plasma triglycerides,and lower plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than cardioembolism.Cardioembolism (7.7％),which was particularly common in the elderly (i.e.,individuals aged 65 years and older),showed the highest female preponderance,the highest prevalence of atrial fibrillation,the earliest presentation to hospital after stroke onset,the most severe symptoms on admission,the maximum complications associated with an adverse outcome,and the highest rate of stroke recurrence and mortality.Our results suggest that ischemic stroke should be regarded as a highly heterogeneous disorder.Studies involving risk factors,clinical features,and prognoses of ischemic stroke should differentiate between etiologic stroke subtypes.

Objective To develop a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)system , for precisely imaging the accommodation of the anterior segment of the human eye. Methods Design the SD-OCT system based on two Michelson interferometer by using the basic principal of weak coherent light interference and modular design of dual channel dual focus. Results The system can provide simultaneous cross-sectional imaging of al the surfaces of the anterior segment of the eye including the cornea, anterior chamber, anterior and posterior surfaces of the crystal ine lens. Thus, the dynamic change of modification of the curvatures can be calculated in real time. Conclusions The system was successful y tested in imaging accommodation, with high resolution and non contact. The preliminary results demonstrated the feasibility of this novel approach to measure the eye parameters.